Dr. Marjorie K. Jeffcoat, editor of The Journal of the American Dental Association, has been named dean of the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Dental Medicine, the university announced Feb. 5.
Dr. Jeffcoat, a periodontist who currently chairs the Department of Periodontics at the University of Alabama-Birmingham, expects to assume her new duties in July.
"We are delighted that a researcher and academic of Dr. Jeffcoat’s caliber will be bringing her considerable talents to Penn’s dental school," said UPenn President Judith Rodin, Ph.D.
"I am very pleased to accept my new post as dean of the School of Dental Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania," said Dr. Jeffcoat. "While I have cherished my time at the University of Alabama-Birmingham, I look forward to bringing new ideas to our next generation of dentists."
UPenn Provost Robert Barchi, M.D., Ph.D., hailed Dr. Jeffcoat as a renowned clinical researcher "at the very forefront of dental medicine today."
He added, "Her strong credentials and her vision for the future of dental medicine and dental education make her an ideal candidate to lead Penn’s dental school forward as it continues to enhance and develop its leadership in research and education."
Penn officials have assured Dr. Jeffcoat and the ADA that they welcome and support her role as JADA editor, a post she has held since January 2002. Until she’s able to establish an editorial office at Penn, Dr. Jeffcoat asks that prospective JADA authors send their manuscripts to ADA Publishing at Association headquarters in Chicago.
A 1976 graduate of the Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Dr. Jeffcoat departs the University of Alabama-Birmingham after 15 years. In addition to chairing UAB’s Department of Periodontics, she also has served as assistant dean of research and interim chair in the Department of Oral Biology. She has been a professor of biomedical engineering and has held the James Rosen Endowed Chair of Dental Research.
Dr. Jeffcoat is a past president of both the American Association for Dental Research and the International Association for Dental Research. She currently serves on the Advisory Committee for Research on Women’s Health with the National Institutes of Health/National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.
Established in 1878, Penn’s School of Dental Medicine ranks among the top three U.S. dental schools for NIH funding received. Worldwide, it is one of only 37 World Health Organization Collaborating Centers on oral health.
As dean, Dr. Jeffcoat will oversee a staff of more than 300 standing and associated faculty members teaching basic and clinical sciences to more than 500 dental students.
